Blake Shelton's "classic country" comments earn him scorn

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"Old farts" ticked off at Blake Shelton

He said what?! Blake Shelton shares his views about classic country music, and pisses off a legend.

Blake Shelton should take a cue from... nearly everyone else in the business and learn to be grateful for his elders. His attitude toward his country music forefathers has recently landed him in hot water.

During an interview for a recent episode of GAC's Backstory about the country crooner and coach on The Voice, Shelton gave his rather bitter-sounding opinions on classic country.

“Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music,” Shelton said, adding, “And I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, ‘My God, that ain’t country!’ Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jacka**. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying.”

He could have easily illustrated his point a little more eloquently and less harshly, without ruffling as many feathers. Instead, he really put it out there.

Not everyone was happy about it either, including country music legend Ray Price. The 87-year-old heard Shelton's comments and took to the web, unleashing his fury on the modern country singer.

“It’s a shame that I have (spent) 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God’s answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF “OLD FART” & JACKA**”) ” P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED."

Ouch. For all of you who don't follow the country music scene like it's your life: Ray Price is not someone you want to upset. If Nashville were like The Voice, Price would be like Christina Aguilera: May not be your cup of tea, but he's a legend nonetheless and deserves respect.

Blake heard about Price's rant and acknowledged it with, "Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement ‘Nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music.’”

Blake's still not apologizing for his opinion, but he did admit (and apologize for) coming off a little crass.

In a statement, he said, "The truth is my statement was and STILL is about how we as the new generation of country artists have to keep re-inventing country music to keep it popular. ...I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended."

What do you think, country fans? Does what's on the radio still sound like country to you? What makes a "country" song sound country?